In Case You Weren’t Already Etsy Obsessed…

…I decided to bestow upon you a few of my very favourite curations… now’s the time to lock yourself out of your paypal, and hide your credit cards (you’ve been warned!). It’s amazing how addictive shopping for handmade goods can be (and the satisfaction that follows, knowing you’re supporting an individual as opposed to an operation). And the range! From tea to tarot cards, crystals to crochet… it’s all there (at such amazing prices, for the most part!). Here’s my list of must-haves…

I have a soft spot for sloths. Some people find them creepy (I don’t blame them when you see pics of them on the ground… disturbing, right?), but I think their smug smiles and mellow pace of life is adorable. Literally defenceless creatures (despite the morbid looking claws). This adorable felt addition brings the option of purchasing an entire felt playground accompaniment alongside it (snuggle bag and food included!). Interested in making your own sloth lover? Buy the pdf to recreate this crochet cutie.

The ceramic header up top was actually sold, but the shop it came from has some gorgeous, equally delicate pieces. Check out these walnut shells made from fine china with a gold finish…

Etsy may be one of the single greatest sources for supplies. I’m always looking for yarn alternatives for my knitting to create different textures, effects, and illusions (could you imagine how pretty a crochet lace would look with the paper yarn above? Or even pastel baker’s twine?). I found an amazing company that cuts up old t-shirts to make yarn. I don’t know if I’ll give them an order, the whole idea of it has me wanting to create baskets and baskets of the stuff for myself!

I’m a buff when it comes to semi-precious stones with healing properties. Crystals, quartz, discoloured sapphires – you name it. I’ve been thinking a lot about little worship spaces within the home, but really love when you can wear the energies too. This ring, although huge, is just stunning (and hopefully loaded with powerfully beneficial energies).

I’ve had a huge crush on Red Sofa jewelry for a long time now (can you blame me?). Not only is it a small enough world where I met the designer herself at a wedding trade show, but one of my best friends sports her creations alongside her husband as their wedding bands (romance!). With a real elvish charm to her jewelry (that’s actually what the above rings are called), the gorgeous natural stones she uses, paired with oxidized silver make for a beautifully organic pair. I’m saving up for a finger full of them.

Stained glass became an obsession when I woke up to the light passing through my windows, and thought of my late grandmother. In her house by the dining room table, still hangs one of the beautiful pieces she bought off an artist. It’s a simple blue flower with a long stem, and it makes me remember the day we all noticed it hanging there over a home cooked dinner. She was always one to very carefully select the things she spent her money on, introducing only the well-researched, and items she couldn’t recreate herself. This plant holder is a lit dream.

Baking supplies! I cannot express to you enough the range of sugary delights you can find (from trims to food colouring, sprinkles and decorative chocolates). Currently loving these tulip cupcake liners and red striped paper straws.

Why throw out all that cotton when you could reuse, reduce, and recycle in such a pretty way? While they may not be all that ideal for removing nail polish, these crocheted cotton rounds are perfect for toning time and time again.

Many people have been asking me about my recent phantom-looking purchase. Guess where I scored it? Now please let it be known that I am not generally a knockoff supporter (not because of the products themselves, but because of the other industries whose threats are exponential, that are generally directly sourced from the same place), but for the handmade of almost identical quality – count me in. What do I love about it? There is no logo or brand name (as in additional advertising to the corporate giant you’re already dishing out $3,000 to dangle off your arm), and the price is right. For $140 after shipping, made with pebbled cow leather, the investment suits me perfectly. I understand that for many this is an area of grey to which they’d never step outside of the designer spectrum. In my case, for a bag whose aesthetic I love that fits within a rational budget, it’s an amazing, even favourable substitute. Besides, if it truly is the style you’re after, why are you letting the brand hold you back?

Back to bag talk… yet another source for a calfskin equivalent to the real Balenciaga thing (sans gloss). This shop has so many beautiful things, including a Proenza Schouler styled urban day bag. There! I’ve let all of my deepest and darkest Etsy secrets out of the well stitched bag… use them well!

A six month tea subscription? Sign me up Scotty! Not only will you want to browse for hours reading every caption in this virtual tea shop, but they offer specialized packages where two of their best selling teas automatically show up at your door each month. The perfect gift for the avid hibernator!

Finding the perfect skin solution can be hard, expensive, and even wasteful when you have uber sensitive, acne-prone skin. Since I made the leap to using primarily organic products when I wash and hydrate, I’ve forever kept on my hunt for the effective and handmade with heart. This powder face wash, all natural sunscreen, and lightweight lavender facial lotion have me wanting to try them all.

7 Responses

I love everything you mentioned in here! Investing in good purses without subscribing to the pricey brand name, to believing in healing, beautiful energy including natural crystals and pretty much falling in love with beautiful hand made things!

Keep shining like a diamond! Did I get super cheesey there? Maybe but let’s keep up the positive energy!

I LOVE Etsy! Not only is it fun being a seller on the site, but it’s also fun looking for great & unique handcrafted items! Here are a couple of items I stumbled upon that I thought were uber-cool:
A gramophone dock for your iPod/ iPhone/ iPad.

@Sara-Martine Just because it’s from China and made in a factory, does not cancel out it being handmade (or on the contrary, promote that it has been subjected to sweatshop conditions). I have ordered many hand-made-to-measure items from independent ateliers in asia that take outside contract work from labels of luxury brands. A designer price tag does no more guarantee where an item has been made anymore either.